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Hi, I am also from the Ottawa area (Gatineau) and having my surgery on January 3rd, 2014. I am going to the slimband clinic in Toronto. I started my pre-op diet today which sucks over the holidays but I will prove to myself how much I want this.

hi the info I got from Slimband in Toronto is there is a clinic in Edmonton which is located at 10020 101A Avenue NW. I don't have a ph number but maybe the TO office could give it to you. I was told they do fills there for Slimband patients.

Hello, my name is Wyleen. Had my surgery in 2014. All was good, except that my band had flipped and it was showing through my skin. Litterally poking out of my skin. My doctor fixed this problem last year, but since then, I've been consistly putting on weight. I think I need a fill. Does anyone know where I can get a fill in Toronto or Winnipeg. I used Slimband in Toronto and can't get a hold of them. Please help!!!

Hi, I was banded with Dr.C. He is a very nice man. He is located in Mississauga at the Plastic Surgery Clinic or downtown Toronto. I prefered Miss location, upscale and a lot easier to find without the complications of downtown ( paid parking, traffic, etc.) I highly recommend Dr.Coburn. Give them a call... speak to Sema. She helped me to understand the differences between Slimband and the Lapband... I first considered the Slimband. He has lots of staff and... they are all very helpful. I was banded in March '12. Im under 300lbs and losing the weight slowly. This is a lifestyle change. My stomach understands it but... my mind struggles everyday. Blessings!

Hello all, Slim2009, Did you try going to the SWLC to see Dr. Cobourn? I've been reading other threads and apparently he helped a lot of people who were not banded at his facility. Try him if you have not. I'm not banded yet, but Slimband was the first place I contacted and had a consult a year ago. I was considering them until I did much research and almost on all threads on the internet, slimband patients are saying the after care sucks. And when something goes wrong, it's hard to get an appointment to see the MDs. So I decided to go with SWLC, apparently their after care is great according to most threads, there were some negative comments, but the positive ones about their overall experience, specially aftercare out weighed the negative ones and it's the oposite for Slimband (according to my 2yrs. research lol).

Hi everyone. I am to be banded on aug 21 in Toronto. I'm from sask!! Everything was good there? We have our own little support group kind of forming of slimband patients .

Many thanks, LilMsDiva! The whole thread can be deleted. Its under "My LapBand Surgery Journey" and the thread is titled "The Date is Set - SLIMBAND Dec. 19, Toronto. I appreciate your time on this - sorry for the inconvenience. "The Professor"

I'm going to Slimband in Toronto, so far the whole process with them has been good! All my follow up will be done in Alberta, that where I am

So last month I had my 6th fill and i've finally hit my sweet spot. I won't be going in this month because i'm steadily losing every week which is awesome. I am finally in onederland!!! I weighed in this morning at 198 yipee!! This is soooo exciting. I went shopping on the weekend at Pennington's and I am a size 14. I won't be able to shop there anymore because that's the smallest size they have. Can you believe it - I have to shop at regular stores now. AWESOME!!! I am so looking forward to this summer at the beach. My goal is getting closer and closer. I love love love my band. Thank you slimband.

So last month I had my 6th fill and i've finally hit my sweet spot. I won't be going in this month because i'm steadily losing every week which is awesome. I am finally in onederland!!! I weighed in this morning at 198 yipee!! This is soooo exciting. I went shopping on the weekend at Pennington's and I am a size 14. I won't be able to shop there anymore because that's the smallest size they have. Can you believe it - I have to shop at regular stores now. AWESOME!!! I am so looking forward to this summer at the beach. My goal is getting closer and closer. I love love love my band. Thank you slimband.

Great Thanks - They are 1 of the 3 that I've narrowed it down to. I am also considering Slimband and Credit Valley Clinic.

I can't answer your question, but I would like to ask you one. What is slimband if you don't mind me asking?

I am trying to research places in Toronto ON for a Lapband Procedure in the near future( I hope) Can any of you recommend I have read SLIMBAND websites...and "The Toronto Surgical Weight Loss Centre" Both sound awesome. I have a consult with one of the surgeons tomorrow ( via telephone as i live 13 hours away), But it would help immensely if someone could give me advice if you were a person who had to travel a distance to get banded. Thanks Shel

I've only ever heard good things about SWLC. It is an excellent clinic. But don't dismiss TLBC/Slimband just yet. Do have a visit. Most people are inclined to post when they have problems and are looking for advice. If all is well, you won't likely hear from them. There are many of us here who have have very positive experiences at TLBC.

I had a horrible experience going to see Dr Yau about a fill. Without going into details, he was shockingly cruel and rude. Other bandsters who are out in the cold since Slimband cut us off - where are you getting fills in the GTA, and what are they costing? Thanks

Well I am definitely doing this! Just trying to sort out logistics, and this is a biggy. I have to fly from Alberta to Toronto for the procedure. I will need to fly in the night before, stay the night directly after, and fly back home the following day. From reading the surgery-day stories, it would seem that some of you had a tough day (or days) immediately following the procedure. Is this a problem maybe? I will be travelling alone, so it will be a couple airports, one piece of luggage, and approximately five hours all told. Should I be giving it an extra day? And on that topic, I am using airmiles for most of my flight. But for you out of towners contemplating doing this, there are a few things you need to add to that budget Flights from out of province are not cheap. You will need a hotel for two nights for sure, more likely three or four. If you are not travelling with someone, you will need to either pay extra to stay the night at the clinic (Slimband) or pay a nurse $20 per hour to go back to the hotel with you and stay the first night (SWLC). Cabs to and from airport, centre, hotel etc. So I am thinking I have to budget an extra $1500 at least, it would be more if I was paying cash for flight The other concern I am trying to get addressed is what happens if for whatever reason I have to return to the surgeon (repairs or problems). I have been assured that the procedure itself is warrantied, but so far I can't get a definitive answer on whether or not I will be reimbursed at all for travel costs. If (and I don't expect it to, but I like to cover my bases when I am running up debt) something were to happen that required me to be back in TO for repairs, I am looking at all the travelling costs again plus down time at work. Anyone else dealt with this yet? Input much appreciated! I think there is such thing as Too Much Information. I am obsessively reading everything I can find on the net, and there are some amazing success stories as well as some crushing defeats. I should learn to stay away from the posts that detail complete train wrecks and warn any and all to stay away from ************** etc. I am overthinking, I know. I am confident in my choice of centre and surgeon, now the devil is in the details and I am keeping myself up nights Thanks in advance.

I just received my second adjustment last Friday - Slimband approved me for a 2CC fill, which puts me at 4CC total right now. I have to say, I definitely feel a huge difference and I'm trying to determine if I'm in this "GREEN ZONE" everyone speaks of, or if I'm too tight. I have to eat very slowly and extremely small bites. Even then I'm feeling a lot of restriction and eating scrambled eggs is taking me 30 minutes. I have a feeling my stomach is a bit swollen, which might account for the tightness as well. I'm willing to give it a few weeks to see if I can manage. When I was at 2CC I found I could pretty much eat fine - albeit slower but I didn't get that FULL sensation like I do now. I'm struggling to compete 1100 calories a day right now. Water and coffee go down just fine. Not sure what everyone elses experience is? It's been a little over 3 months and I'm down 13 pounds.

I just wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself and tell my story. I am located just North of Toronto, Canada. I do not currently have a surgery date. I've been researching 'Slimband' for approximatly a year and have debated it the entire time. If it wasn't for the cost, I would have done it already. My best friend is scheduled for her surgery May 11th and I'm very excited to see how she does. I'm also the one accompaning her to the procedure so they are going to give me a tour and an opportunity to ask the surgeon questions. I have been overweight since I was a child. At 12 years old my doctor had my Mom take me to Weight Watchers. I lost 80lbs and then gained it all back again. I have done Weight Watchers atleast 5 times since then in between Jenny Craig, Slim Fast, diet pills, and god knows what else. I've never reached my goal weight but I generally have some loss and then put it all back on plus some. I'm tired of this yo yo game. I want to feel good about myself and to stop feeling like a failure. I want to be healthy and to be able to shop in a 'normal' store. My husband and I want to have kids in the next couple of years and I want to be able to play with my kids and have the energy to chase them around. I also want a healthy pregnancy and to raise my kids in a healthy way and not pass on my bad habits to them. My parents have a lot of health concerns and I want to do everything I can to prevent that for myself. My husband is nervous about the surgery. I keep trying to explain that it is not an invasive procedure and the benefits could far outweigh the negatives. I'm hoping my friend's surgery goes well so he can see that everything is okay. His other major concern is cost. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tell a spouse or loved one that the lapband can be an excellent tool that is worth the cost? Thanks!!!!

I know! I was shocked to learn it had that much already. I guess that is why I am able to eat the smaller portions without being ravenous, but I do get hungry around 2hrs later..I hope this was just the top up I need. I am very afraid to be too tight, but I feel fine so far. When they do the surgery at Slimband, they now use what they call "Slim Spot technology". They fill the band completely and then defill until they determine where the sweet spot level is - by watching the nerve I am told - so my sweet spot was determined to be at 7cc. They then take out enough, about 1.5 - 2 cc to allow for swelling and healing following surgery.

I recently had some dealings with SB and was very unimpressed with the result. In fact I have been going back and forth since last July (2013), and my complaints of pain in my abdomen have been mostly ignored. I got the same story about how a fill was now $200, and assorted reasons why TLBC no longer existed. I also cannot find my contract, I can find every other piece of paper associated with the procedure, including the receipt that I was issued. I am a very detail oriented person and misplacing my contract would not be something I would do, and I cannot recall ever signing one. During my recent dealings with SB I asked for a copy of my contract which they said they did not have, because SB is not TLBC and as such had no obligation to assume the contracts entered into by TLBC, nor were they obliged to treat any patients from TLBC. In fact the person I spoke with said that SB had "graciously taken on Dr. Yau and his patients." They also said that they kept NO files from TLBC. I called my lawyer, he researched it, said that neither SB or TLBC was registered by industry Canada. If you go to: https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/cc/CorporationsCanada/fdrlCrpSrch.html?crpNm=Slimband&crpNmbr=&bsNmbr= You can search Slimband, Slimband Inc. etc and nothing comes up. This may mean that Slimband Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of another company. Keep in mind that originally, TLBC was The Prince Arthur Medical Clinic Inc, that also owned the financing company that you could use to fund the surgery. "Slimband" is a registered trade mark. So if you search the trademark database: http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srch/vwTrdmrk.do?lang=eng&status=OK&fileNumber=1395712&extension=0&startingDocumentIndexOnPage=1 The current registrant is Slimband Inc. and the old owner is The Prince Arthur Medical Clinic Inc. Slimband is not registered with the Better Business Bureau, but if you search them there, you will find: http://www.bbb.org/kitchener/business-reviews/physicians-and-surgeons-weight-reduction/slimband-in-toronto-on-1188653 And that the business was started in 2006. As well, the BBB rated Slimband as a D-. There is no obligation to register with the BBB. In a further call to SB I was told that if I wanted to see Dr. Yau, I would have to have a referral from my regular family physician, so I asked for a copy of my file to give to my GP. Earlier they said they had no files, on this call I was told it would cost for copying etc. Ultimately I paid about $40 for my file. In my file was the 9 page document that I did sign called "Laparoscopic Banding Surgery" which had me acknowledge and sign off on all the risks and that Dr. Yau had explained same to me, etc etc. The contractual part of this document discusses the issue of self pay because the procedure was not covered by OHIP. There is no discussion of after care in any of the documents I was given. However, while I was waiting for my file I spoke to a Slimband representative and I asked her specifically for a copy of the SLA (service level agreement) that was in place. She told me that there was no SLA in place in 2007. I was not given a copy of the current SLA, even though I asked for one. I have repeatedly asked for a copy of the current SLA and have been ignored each time. Your results may vary, but in my discussion with my lawyer, because there is no service contract in place, and neither I, nor the clinic have any type of contract/ document discussing after care, it would be a case of he said, she said. Further he advised me that usually, in Canada to sue (not just doctors), one must be able to prove economic/financial loss. At this point, I have no loss, and I may be out $200 if I need a fill. That would be a matter for small claims court. I would need to have a whole lot of fills before hiring a lawyer would be worth the cost. If I had to pay for a revision, it might be worthwhile to pursue. When I was banded I was told that if I need to convert to bypass (the sleeve was not an option back then), I would be responsible for paying for the anesthesiologist but not the surgery. Currently gastric bypass is covered by OHIP, so I would assume that if I needed a revision, it might be covered. If I ever do need a revision, I will research all of my options before deciding to go forward. Having said all of that, I am disappointed with this current news, and I hope that the new doctors will take over where Dr. Yau left off, time will tell. As an aside, I did have an ultrasound, and a barium xray that indicate that I had a very slight dilation of the esophagus. I had a 0.5 cc defill and will have a follow up xray in a few weeks.

Anyone banded by TLBC or Slimband that isn't currently being adequately cared for or entirely dropped. Please contact me directly at Tlbchelp@gmail.com I have been working on a solution for the past several months and looks like I am getting close. I was banded back in 2007 by Tlbc and then totally dropped early 2014 by Slimband. As if they are a different entity? Still don't buy it. Contact me.

This is an interesting thread, I have had three bands, 1 by Dr Joffe and Yau, 1 by TLBC and 1 by slimband. I would be interested in know more about the lawsuit since there is no longer support for patients and I am one of them. A group of patients was told by the finance team at Scarborough Grace we would always be covered and then again by Dr Joffe and Yau. When my last band was put in I was given nothing so I have no clue anymore. But when I was banded over 12 years ago it was a lifetime support for everything. I now live in the US and haven't tried to get a fill, but I imagine if I try I will be told the same story. If the person is managing the class action wants to contact me my name is Heather and my email is susieq321@Hotmail.com.

I have already contacted the reporter Tom Blackwell from the National Post. and informed me what was going on and he may be interested in doing a story. You should contact him also. My warranty will be over in 2 years on my band however I am thinking of having it removed. Slimband told me that OHIP would cover the costs of the removal. I have gone to my doctor and we have asked for a referral to see Dr. Yau and I haven't heard anything yet. Look above at Tamara's email and send your information to her. We are collecting emails and contact names.

Hi Marymo, I just found out myself that Slimband will no longer see me and I really need a fill. Were you able to get a contact number for Sabrina?

Hi I'm a veteran Lap Bandster, Im looking to get a fill- Im in Barrie and can travel as far as I need to by car. Im hoping of the few bandster left someone knows of one currently doing fills. Barrie/ York Region/ Toronto. Mine was done by Dr Yau about 15 years ago or more, right after it was approved In Canada. Have had fills at Scarborough Grace, then Slimband, then Prince Arthur. The band has been mildly effective, at first I lost about 90 Lbs, but I have regained 50 Lbs. ovr time. I hardly even know the band is there. The last time I saw Dr yau- years ago- he said if I thought the band slipped he could go in and if it needed replacement it would cost me another $5K..So I've done nothing since then. I searched here and found a post for one on Yonge street but it was from 5 years ago. Thanks for any help.